AST BlueBird reviewed 2026-05-17. FCC DA 26-391 authorizes AST to deploy and operate its full requested 248-satellite constellation for SCS/direct-to-cell service. Treat the 2026 approximately 45 BlueBirds-in-orbit target as the near-term deployment target, and the 248 satellites as the authorized long-range constellation size with FCC milestone pressure through 2033.
16 forecast rows linked to this constellation.
| Forecast entry | Year | Satellites | Orbit | Vehicle | Manufacturer | Mission | Launch likelihood |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AST SpaceMobile BlueBird 2026 residual deployment toward 45-satellite target |
7 linked spacecraft shown.
| Spacecraft | Status | Orbit | Launch date |
|---|---|---|---|
| BlueWalker 3 | active | LEO | Sep 11, 2022 |
| SpaceMobile-001 | active | LEO | Sep 12, 2024 |
| SpaceMobile-002 |
| 2026 |
| 28 |
| LEO |
| TBD |
| AST Space Mobile |
| Communications |
| 3.85 / 5 |
| BlueBird Block 2 BlueBird Block 2 (x8) | 2026 | 8 | LEO | New Glenn 7x2 | AST Space Mobile | Communications | 3.45 / 5 |
| AST SpaceMobile BlueBird annual deployment - unknown launch vehicle Large phased-array satellite payload for 4G/5G space-based cellular broadband; Block 2 uses AST5000 ASIC integration and roughly 2,400 sq ft arrays. | 2027 | 30 | LEO | TBD | AST Space Mobile | Communications | 3.65 / 5 |
| AST SpaceMobile BlueBird annual deployment - unknown launch vehicle Large phased-array satellite payload for 4G/5G space-based cellular broadband; Block 2 uses AST5000 ASIC integration and roughly 2,400 sq ft arrays. | 2028 | 25 | LEO | TBD | AST Space Mobile | Communications | 3.65 / 5 |
| AST SpaceMobile BlueBird FCC 248-satellite expansion ramp Large phased-array satellite payload for 4G/5G space-based cellular broadband; Block 2 uses AST5000 ASIC integration and roughly 2,400 sq ft arrays. | 2029 | 24 | LEO | TBD | AST Space Mobile | Communications | 3.05 / 5 |
| AST SpaceMobile BlueBird FCC 248-satellite expansion ramp Large phased-array satellite payload for 4G/5G space-based cellular broadband; Block 2 uses AST5000 ASIC integration and roughly 2,400 sq ft arrays. | 2030 | 25 | LEO | TBD | AST Space Mobile | Communications | 3.05 / 5 |
| AST SpaceMobile BlueBird FCC 248-satellite expansion ramp Large phased-array satellite payload for 4G/5G space-based cellular broadband; Block 2 uses AST5000 ASIC integration and roughly 2,400 sq ft arrays. | 2031 | 33 | LEO | TBD | AST Space Mobile | Communications | 3.05 / 5 |
| AST SpaceMobile BlueBird FCC 248-satellite expansion ramp Large phased-array satellite payload for 4G/5G space-based cellular broadband; Block 2 uses AST5000 ASIC integration and roughly 2,400 sq ft arrays. | 2032 | 33 | LEO | TBD | AST Space Mobile | Communications | 3.05 / 5 |
| AST SpaceMobile BlueBird FCC 248-satellite expansion ramp Large phased-array satellite payload for 4G/5G space-based cellular broadband; Block 2 uses AST5000 ASIC integration and roughly 2,400 sq ft arrays. | 2033 | 33 | LEO | TBD | AST Space Mobile | Communications | 3.05 / 5 |
| AST SpaceMobile BlueBird lifecycle replenishment - anticipated Large phased-array satellite payload for 4G/5G space-based cellular broadband; Block 2 uses AST5000 ASIC integration and roughly 2,400 sq ft arrays. | 2034 | 35 | LEO | TBD | AST Space Mobile | Communications | 3.05 / 5 |
| AST SpaceMobile BlueBird lifecycle replenishment - anticipated Large phased-array satellite payload for 4G/5G space-based cellular broadband; Block 2 uses AST5000 ASIC integration and roughly 2,400 sq ft arrays. | 2035 | 35 | LEO | TBD | AST Space Mobile | Communications | 3.05 / 5 |
| AST SpaceMobile BlueBird lifecycle replenishment - anticipated Large phased-array satellite payload for 4G/5G space-based cellular broadband; Block 2 uses AST5000 ASIC integration and roughly 2,400 sq ft arrays. | 2036 | 35 | LEO | TBD | AST Space Mobile | Communications | 3.05 / 5 |
| AST SpaceMobile BlueBird lifecycle replenishment - anticipated Large phased-array satellite payload for 4G/5G space-based cellular broadband; Block 2 uses AST5000 ASIC integration and roughly 2,400 sq ft arrays. | 2037 | 35 | LEO | TBD | AST Space Mobile | Communications | 3.05 / 5 |
| AST SpaceMobile BlueBird lifecycle replenishment - anticipated Large phased-array satellite payload for 4G/5G space-based cellular broadband; Block 2 uses AST5000 ASIC integration and roughly 2,400 sq ft arrays. | 2038 | 35 | LEO | TBD | AST Space Mobile | Communications | 3.05 / 5 |
| AST SpaceMobile BlueBird lifecycle replenishment - anticipated Large phased-array satellite payload for 4G/5G space-based cellular broadband; Block 2 uses AST5000 ASIC integration and roughly 2,400 sq ft arrays. | 2039 | 35 | LEO | TBD | AST Space Mobile | Communications | 3.05 / 5 |
| AST SpaceMobile BlueBird lifecycle replenishment - anticipated Large phased-array satellite payload for 4G/5G space-based cellular broadband; Block 2 uses AST5000 ASIC integration and roughly 2,400 sq ft arrays. | 2040 | 35 | LEO | TBD | AST Space Mobile | Communications | 3.05 / 5 |
| active |
| LEO |
| Sep 12, 2024 |
| SpaceMobile-003 | active | LEO | Sep 12, 2024 |
| SpaceMobile-004 | active | LEO | Sep 12, 2024 |
| SpaceMobile-005 | active | LEO | Sep 12, 2024 |
| BlueWalker 1 | retired | LEO | Apr 1, 2019 |